I find discourse on the ‘needs’ of children troubling at times. By which I don’t mean that children don’t have needs. Unquestionably they do. Water, for example, is something that all human children undeniably and clearly need. What I mean is that talking about children’s ‘needs’ seems to enable the speaker to slip a whole […]
It is commonly argued that a baby comforted to sleep will, when waking later in their cot (crib), experience a shock when they notice that they are no longer in their parent’s arms. This shock, it is reasoned, will cause the baby to call out to the parent for comfort. This reasoning is frequently used […]
Humans have a superpower. We use our superpower every day and it is part of why we have achieved all that we have as a species. You can use your superpower right now. Are you ready? Imagine your favourite food. Pause and really picture it in your mind’s eye – see exactly what it looks […]
What is it about parenting that makes us so judgemental? I hate the judgement that we parent’s suffer, I have years of professional experience in being non-judgemental, and I genuinely believe that there isn’t one ‘right’ way to parent and yet…if I am honest, I must confess that I am tempted to judge other parents […]
The horrible reality of childhood sexual abuse seems to pervade the Australian news of late: The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, set up in January 2013, continues to investigate instances where institutions failed to protect children from sexual abuse and failed to properly respond to allegations. Robert Hughes, former star of […]
Motherhood can be challenging, stressful, and painful. But it is also, for many women, one of their greatest sources of joy and achievement. This Mother’s Day Weekend, become the mum you want to be: Follow your own heart. Let go of advice, judgment and criticism and, instead, follow your own heart. Get in touch with […]
Parenting is challenging at the best of times and, every so often, it is particularly challenging. Here’s a really simple idea that I always recommend. When parenting is particularly challenging, make the rest of your life as easy as you can. Learning how to breastfeed for the first time? Not a great time to renovate […]
Becoming a parent awakens a whole cluster of instincts, feelings and thoughts. A dark and scary part of our psyche, inherited from ancestors long past and dormant until parenthood, wakes within us. We find ourselves tasked with a single overriding mission: our child must survive. We discover that becoming a parent means being haunted by […]
I will be holding a FREE Mother’s Day Weekend Event in my hometown of Brisbane. Please join me for a FREE presentation and afternoon tea on Saturday the 10th of May in Aspley and discover: True parenting confidence How to manage criticism and unhelpful advice Strategies for building a meaningful, rewarding life as a mum Practical […]
Modern parenting is full of rules. I don’t mean the rules that parents set for their children. I mean the rules that society sets for us. You know the rules like, ‘Never feed, rock or cuddle your baby to sleep’ or ‘No television before the age of two’. There are heaps of them. If we […]